U.S. patent application number 13/357875 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-09 for control device, control method, and program.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Tsuyoshi Honma, Shin Ito, Yoshinori Ohashi, Eiju Yamada.
Application Number | 20120200783 13/357875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45562741 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120200783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ito; Shin ; et al. |
August 9, 2012 |
CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM
Abstract
A control device may include a control unit to control
transmission of a predetermined control command to a controlled
device, when an operation surface is put face down is detected from
a detection result of at least one sensor indicating the operation
surface is put face down.
Inventors: |
Ito; Shin; (Tokyo, JP)
; Ohashi; Yoshinori; (Tokyo, JP) ; Yamada;
Eiju; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Honma; Tsuyoshi;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
45562741 |
Appl. No.: |
13/357875 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/734 ;
348/E5.096 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2005/4428 20130101;
H04N 21/42222 20130101; G06F 2200/1637 20130101; H04N 21/42204
20130101; H04M 2250/12 20130101; G06F 3/0346 20130101; G06F 3/017
20130101; G06F 1/1694 20130101; H04N 21/4126 20130101; H04M 1/72533
20130101; H04N 5/4403 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 3/0304
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/734 ;
348/E05.096 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/44 20110101
H04N005/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 3, 2011 |
JP |
P2011-022069 |
Claims
1. A control device comprising: a control unit to control
transmission of a predetermined control command to a controlled
device, when an operation surface is put face down is detected from
a detection result of at least one sensor indicating the operation
surface is put face down.
2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor
includes an optical sensor and the detection result is an amount of
light detected by the optical sensor.
3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the optical sensor is at
a predetermined position of the operation surface.
4. The control device of claim 3, wherein the predetermined
position is at a center of the operation surface.
5. The control device of claim 3, wherein the predetermined
position is at a corner of the operation surface.
6. The control device of claim 2, wherein the operation surface is
put face down is detected when the amount of light detected is less
than a predetermined first threshold value.
7. The control device of claim 6, wherein the operation surface is
put face down is detected when the amount of light detected is less
than the predetermined first threshold value for a predetermined
time.
8. The control device of claim 6, wherein the control unit controls
the transmission of the predetermined control command based on
whether the amount of light detected is less than a predetermined
second threshold value equal to or greater than the predetermined
first threshold value.
9. The control device of claim 8, wherein, when the amount of light
detected is less than the predetermined second threshold value, the
control unit controls the transmission of the predetermined control
command so transmission of the predetermined control command is not
executed.
10. The control device of claim 1 further comprising at least one
of the at least one sensor or a transmitting unit to transmit the
predetermined control command.
11. The control device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor
includes a movement sensor.
12. The control device of claim 11, wherein the movement sensor is
an acceleration sensor.
13. The control device of claim 12, wherein the acceleration sensor
detects acceleration acting on the control device.
14. The control device of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor
further includes an optical sensor and the detection result
includes an amount of light detected by the optical sensor.
15. The control device of claim 14, wherein the operation surface
is put face down is detected when the amount of light detected is
less than a predetermined first threshold value.
16. The control device of claim 1, wherein the operation surface
includes a display.
17. The control device of claim 1, wherein the controlled device is
a television and the control device is a mobile device.
18. The control device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined
control command includes at least one of a start of temporary
recording command, a designation of a reproduction start position
of recorded contents command, a reproduction stop of contents
command or a sound mute of contents command.
19. A control method comprising: controlling, by a processor,
transmission of a predetermined control command to a controlled
device, when an operation surface is put face down is detected from
a detection result of at least one sensor indicating the operation
surface is put face down.
20. A non-transitory recording medium recorded with a computer
readable program executable by a computer, the program comprising:
controlling transmission of a predetermined control command to a
controlled device, when an operation surface is put face down is
detected from a detection result of at least one sensor indicating
the operation surface is put face down.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2011-022069 filed in the Japan Patent Office on
Feb. 3, 2011, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a
control method, and a program.
[0003] There is a known control system that includes: a controlled
device such as a television and a recorder; and a control device
such as a commander which controls the controlled device.
[0004] When an operational input is received from a user, the
control device transmits a control command to the controlled device
according to the operational input. In general, the operational
input is carried out by operating hardware buttons or software
buttons. However, an operational input may be performed in such a
manner that the control device enters a state where the operation
surface is put face down and is placed still on a stationary plane
such as a desk, and this state is maintained for a predetermined
time. Here, the execution of the operation, in which the control
device enters a state where the operation surface is put face down
and is placed still, is determined in such a manner that an
acceleration sensor in the control device is used to detect the
rotation or the direction of the control device.
SUMMARY
[0005] However, according to the related art using only an
acceleration sensor, for example, even when a user holds the
control device with his or her hand and turns the control device
downward with the operation surface uncovered, the control device
may determine that such an operational input is executed so that a
control command may be erroneously transmitted.
[0006] In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a
control device, a control method, and a program which can
appropriately determine the execution of the operation in which the
control device enters a state where the operation surface is put
face down and is placed still on a stationary plane.
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment, a control device may
include a control unit to control transmission of a predetermined
control command to a controlled device, when an operation surface
is put face down is detected from a detection result of at least
one sensor indicating the operation surface is put face down.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment, a control method may
include controlling, by a processor, transmission of a
predetermined control command to a controlled device, when an
operation surface is put face down is detected from a detection
result of at least one sensor indicating the operation surface is
put face down.
[0009] In accordance with another embodiment, a non-transitory
recording medium may be recorded with a computer readable program
executable by a computer, where the program may include controlling
transmission of a predetermined control command to a controlled
device, when an operation surface is put face down is detected from
a detection result of at least one sensor indicating the operation
surface is put face down.
[0010] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it
is possible to provide a control device, a control method, and a
program which can appropriately determine the execution of the
operation in which the control device enters a state where the
operation surface is put face down and does not move on a
stationary plane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a control
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional
configuration of a television according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of a
commander;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the functional
configuration of a commander;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detection coordinate
system of a first sensor;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a
commander;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in
which a command is erroneously input;
[0018] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a
control system (1/4);
[0019] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a
control system (2/4);
[0020] FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a
control system (3/4); and
[0021] FIG. 8D is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a
control system (4/4).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the appended
drawings. Note that, in this specification and the appended
drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same
function and structure are denoted with the same reference
numerals, and repeated explanation of these structural elements is
omitted.
[1. Overview of Control System]
[0023] First, an overview of a control system according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with
reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview
of the control system according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control system includes a
controlled device (television 10) and a control device (commander
20) that serves to control the controlled device. The controlled
device is communicably connected to the control device in a wired
or wireless manner, or in some cases, through a network. As the
controlled device, a device such as the television 10, a recorder,
or a personal computer that is capable of reproducing contents can
be exemplified. As the control device, a mobile device such as the
commander 20, a portable phone, or a personal digital assistant
(PDA) can be exemplified. In the following description, a case will
be presented where the controlled device is the television 10
equipped with a recorder therein, and the control device is the
commander 20 operated by a user.
[0025] The television 10 reproduces contents and outputs video
signals and/or audio signals corresponding to the contents. When an
operational input is received from a user, the commander 20
transmits a control command C to the television 10 according to the
operational input. The operational input is carried out by
operating hardware buttons or software buttons. The operational
input can be carried out also by a first operation M in which the
commander 20 enters a state where an operation surface 20a thereof
is put face down and is placed still on a stationary plane S such
as a desk and this state is maintained for a predetermined
time.
[0026] The commander 20 includes a first sensor 21 and a second
sensor 22. The first sensor 21 is a sensor that detects the
acceleration of the commander 20. The second sensor 22 is a sensor
that detects the light with which the operation surface 20a is
irradiated.
[0027] The commander 20 detects the operation in which the
commander 20 enters a state where the operation surface 20a thereof
is put face down and is placed still, on the basis of the detection
result of the first sensor 21. The commander 20 detects the
operation in which the commander 20 enters a state where the amount
of light with which the operation surface 20a is irradiated is
smaller than a first threshold value, on the basis of the detection
result of the second sensor 22. The first threshold value is set to
determine the state where the operation surface 20a is put face
down (a state where the operation surface 20a is turned downward so
that it is not operable).
[0028] When it is determined that the first operation M is
performed in which the commander 20 enters a state where the
operation surface 20a is put face down and is placed still and the
amount of the light with which the operation surface 20a is
irradiated is smaller than the first threshold value and this state
is maintained for a predetermined time, the commander 20 transmits
a predetermined control command C to the television 10. On the
other hand, the television 10 performs a process assigned to the
control command C in response to the control command C (P).
[0029] In this way, when the commander 20 enters a state where the
operation surface 20a is put face down and is placed still and the
amount of the light with which the operation surface 20a is
irradiated is smaller than the first threshold value, it is
determined that the first operation M is executed. Therefore, since
the execution of the first operation M is not determined in a state
where the operation surface 20a is not put face down, it is
possible to appropriately determine the execution of the operation
in which the commander 20 enters the state where the operation
surface 20a is put face down and is placed still with respect to
the stationary surface S.
[2. Configuration of Control System]
[0030] Next, the configuration of a control system according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with
reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating
the functional configuration of the television 10 according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram
illustrating the appearance of the commander 20 and FIG. 4 is a
block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the
commander 20. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detection
coordinate system of the first sensor 21.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the television 10 includes a
content receiving unit 11, a content recording unit 12, a content
reproducing unit 13, a display 14, a speaker 15, a command
receiving unit 16, an operation input unit 17, and a control unit
18. The content receiving unit 11, the content recording unit 12,
the content reproducing unit 13, the command receiving unit 16, and
the operation input unit 17 are all connected to the control unit
18 through a bus 19.
[0032] The content receiving unit 11 receives contents (data)
through an antenna or a network (not shown), and supplies the
received contents to the content recording unit 12 or the content
reproducing unit 13. The content recording unit 12 records the
contents (the received contents) supplied from the content
receiving unit 11, and reads the contents (the recorded contents)
that have been recorded to supply the contents to the content
reproducing unit 13.
[0033] The content reproducing unit 13 reproduces the contents
supplied from the content receiving unit 11 or the contents read
from the content recording unit 12 and supplies video data and
audio data to the display 14 and the speaker 15, respectively. The
display 14 outputs a video corresponding to the video data supplied
from the content reproducing unit 13. The speaker 15 outputs an
audio sound corresponding to the audio data supplied from the
content reproducing unit 13.
[0034] The command receiving unit 16 receives the control command C
transmitted from a remote controller (not shown) which is dedicated
to the commander 20 or the television 10. For example, examples of
the control command C may include: commands for reproduction start,
switching, and completion of the received contents; commands for
reproduction start, pause, stop, fast-forwarding, rewinding, and
completion of the recorded contents; commands for recording start,
stop, and completion of the received contents; and the command for
the volume control of the contents.
[0035] The operation input unit 17 receives an operation command
input by a user through buttons in the main body of the television
10. For example, examples of the operation command may include:
commands for reproduction start, switching, and completion of the
received contents; commands for reproduction start, pause, stop,
fast-forwarding, rewinding, and completion of the recorded
contents; commands for recording start, stop, and completion of the
received contents; and the command for the volume control of the
contents.
[0036] The control unit 18 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the
like. The CPU reads a program from the ROM or the like and develops
a program in the RAM to execute the program. In this way, the CPU
performs a calculation or control to operate the television 10. The
control unit 18 controls the respective units of the television 10
in accordance with the control command C or operation command.
[0037] FIG. 3 is the front view and the right side view
illustrating the commander 20. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the
commander 20 includes the operation surface 20a that is provided on
the front surface of a plate-like housing. The operation surface
20a is a flat surface in which an operation area (an operation
element, an operation screen, and the like) is provided to operate
the commander 20. In a lower portion of the operation surface 20a,
a jog dial 20b is provided as an example of the operation element.
In a center portion of the operation surface 20a, a touch panel 20c
is provided. Further, the operation surface 20a may not include
both of the jog dial 20b and the touch panel 20c but include only
the touch panel 20c, or alternatively it may include a display such
as a liquid crystal display and operation elements such as hardware
buttons provided thereon.
[0038] The commander 20 includes: the first sensor 21 having an
acceleration sensor built in the housing; and the second sensor 22
having an optical sensor and the like provided in the operation
surface 20a. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second sensor 22 is
located in the substantial center portion of the operation surface
20a. However, the second sensor 22 may be located at another
position so that light may not have an influence on the touch panel
20c. The second sensor 22 may be provided at plural positions, for
example, at four corners of the operation surface 20a.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the commander 20 includes the
first and second sensors 21 and 22, a movement determining unit 23,
a content receiving unit 24, a content reproducing unit 25, a
display 26, a speaker 27, a command transmitting unit 28, an
operation input unit 29, and a control unit 30. The movement
determining unit 23, the content receiving unit 24, the content
reproducing unit 25, the command transmitting unit 28, and the
operation input unit 29 are all connected to the control unit 30
through a bus 31.
[0040] The first sensor 21 detects the acceleration acting on the
commander 20, and supplies the detection result to the movement
determining unit 23. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first sensor 21
detects the acceleration using a detection coordinate system having
X, Y, and Z axes. In the detection coordinate system, the X axis
and the Y axis are perpendicular to each other and extend in
parallel to the operation surface 20a; and the Z axis is
perpendicular to the X and Y axes and extends in a direction
vertical to the operation surface 20a. The first sensor 21 detects
the acceleration occurring in the directions of the X, Y, and Z
axes, and the acceleration caused by rotation around the respective
axes. The first sensor 21 detects the acceleration of -1 G
(Gravity) in the Z axis in a state where the operation surface 20a
is turned downward in the vertical direction and does not move.
[0041] The second sensor 22 has a sensor surface which is provided
on the operation surface 20a to detect the light with which the
operation surface 20a (the sensor surface) is irradiated, and
supplies the detection result to the movement determining unit 23.
The second sensor 22 detects the amount of light very close to "0"
in a state where the operation surface 20a is completely put face
down with respect to a non-light-transmitting, flat surface (the
state where the operation surface 20a is in contact with or is
about to come into contact with the flat surface while being in
parallel to the flat surface).
[0042] The movement determining unit 23 determines that the first
operation M is performed in which the commander 20 enters the
above-mentioned state and remains in that state for a predetermined
time almost simultaneously with the detection on the basis of the
detection result of the first and second sensors 21 and 22. On the
basis of the detection results of the first sensor 21, the movement
determining unit 23 detects the operation in which the commander 20
enters the state where the operation surface 20a is put face down
and is placed still. This means that the predetermined acceleration
(which is caused by the rotation of the commander 20) around the X
axis and/or the Y axis is detected, and subsequently thereto, the
acceleration (which is caused by putting the operation surface 20a
face down) of about -1 G in the Z axis and the change in
acceleration (which is smaller than the predetermined threshold
value because the commander 20 does not move) in the direction of
each axis and around each axis are detected almost simultaneously.
In addition, the commander 20 may not be put face down on a
horizontal surface, and may alternatively be put face down on a
slightly sloped surface.
[0043] On the basis of the detection result of the second sensor
22, it is detected that the commander 20 enters the state where the
amount of the light with which the operation surface 20a is
irradiated is smaller than the first threshold value. Furthermore,
using a timer (not shown) provided in the movement determining unit
23, the control unit 30, or the like, it is determined that an
operation is performed in which the commander 20 maintains its
state for a predetermined time after entering the state.
[0044] The content receiving unit 24 receives the contents (data)
through an antenna or a network (not shown), and supplies the
received contents to the content reproducing unit 25. The content
reproducing unit 25 reproduces the contents supplied from the
content receiving unit 24, and supplies video data and audio data
to the display 26 and the speaker 27, respectively. The display 26
and the speaker 27 have the same functions as those of the display
14 and the speaker 15 of the television 10, respectively.
[0045] The command transmitting unit 28 transmits the control
command C to the television 10 as described in connection with the
command receiving unit 16. As to be described later, examples of
the control command C also includes commands for: start of
temporary recoding (cache recording) which temporarily records the
received contents; designation of a reproduction start position of
the recorded contents; reproduction stop (pause) of the contents;
and sound mute of the contents.
[0046] The operation input unit 29 receives an operation command
which is input by a user through the jog dial 20b or the software
(GUI) buttons displayed on the touch panel 20c. In a case where the
commander 20 includes the touch panel 20c, a part of the operation
input unit 29 is integrally provided with the display 26 in order
to receive the operational input through the touch panel 20c. In
this case, for example, examples of the operation command include
commands for reproduction start, switching, and completion of the
received contents and the command for the volume control of the
contents. There may be a case where the control command C for
controlling the television 10 is generated by the operation
command.
[0047] The control unit 30 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the
like. The CPU reads a program from the ROM or the like and develops
the program on the RAM to execute the program. In this way, the CPU
performs a calculation or control to operate the commander 20. The
control unit 30 controls the respective units of the commander 20
in accordance with the operation command, or generates the control
command C for controlling the television 10.
[3. Operation of the Control System]
[0048] Next, the operation of the control system according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with
reference to FIG. 6 to FIGS. 8A to 8D. FIG. 6 is a flowchart
illustrating the operation of the commander 20 and FIG. 7 is a
diagram illustrating an example of a state where a command is
erroneously input. FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating
operational examples of the control system.
[0049] In the commander 20, the first and second sensors and 22
continuously supply the detection results to the movement
determining unit 23. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the movement
determining unit 23 determines whether or not the commander 20
enters the state where the operation surface 20a is put face down
and is placed still on the basis of the detection results of the
first sensor 21 (Step S11). The movement determining unit 23
returns to the process of Step S11 in a case where the
determination condition is not satisfied.
[0050] In a case where the determination condition is satisfied,
the movement determining unit 23 determines whether or not the
commander 20 enters the state where the amount of the light with
which the operation surface 20a is irradiated is smaller than the
first threshold value, on the basis of the detection results of the
second sensor 22 (Step S12). The first threshold value corresponds
to a detection value which is obtained in a state where the
operation surface 20a is completely put face down with respect to a
non-light-transmitting flat surface or a value which is obtained by
adding some margin to the detection value. In a case where the
determination condition for an affirmative result is not satisfied,
the movement determining unit 23 proceeds to the process to Step
S21 which will be described later.
[0051] First, the case where the determination condition for an
affirmative result is satisfied in Step S12 will be described. In
this case, the movement determining unit 23 determines that the
commander enters the state (predetermined state) where the
operation surface 20a is put face down and is placed still and the
amount of the light with which the operation surface 20a is
irradiated is smaller than the first threshold value (Step S13),
and activates the timer (Step S14).
[0052] When the timer is activated, the movement determining unit
23 continuously performs the determination with the detection
results of the first and second sensors 21 and 22 until the
predetermined time elapses (Steps S15 and S16). The predetermined
time is set to a period of, for example, several seconds to several
tens of seconds by which user's intention of controlling the
television 10 can be confirmed.
[0053] In a case where a predetermined time elapses in the
predetermined state ("Yes" in Step S17) being maintained, the
movement determining unit 23 determines that the first operation M
is executed by a user to control the television 10 (Step S18), and
then informs the control unit 30 of the determination result. On
the other hand, the movement determining unit 23 ends the process
in the case where the predetermined state is not maintained for the
predetermined time, that is, in a case where the determination
conditions for an affirmative result in Step S15 and/or Step S16
are not satisfied.
[0054] When it is determined that the first operation M is executed
in Step S18, the control unit 30 instructs the command transmitting
unit 28 to transmit the control command C which is assigned to the
first operation M (Step S19). The television 10 receives the
control command C and executes a process in accordance with the
control command C.
[0055] In a case where it is determined that the first operation M
is executed, the determinations (Steps S11 and S15) based on the
detection result of the first sensor 21 and the determinations
(Steps S12 and S16) based on the detection result of the second
sensor 22 are performed in series.
[0056] In a case where the determination condition for an
affirmative result in Step S12 is not satisfied, the movement
determining unit 23 determines whether or not the commander 20
enters the state where the amount of the light with which the
operation surface 20a is irradiated is smaller than a second
threshold value on the basis of the detection result of the second
sensor 22 (Step S21). The second threshold value corresponds to a
detection value equal to or larger than the first threshold value,
that is, a detection value which is obtained in a state where the
operation surface 20a is irradiated with a trace amount of light.
The movement determining unit 23 ends the process in a case where
the determination condition for an affirmative result is not
satisfied.
[0057] Now, the state illustrated in FIG. 7 will be assumed. That
is, in the commander 20, since an operation element 20b' such as a
jog dial which protrudes from the operation surface 20a comes into
contact with a stationary surface S, the operation surface 20a is
not completely put face down. As a result, the operation surface
20a is irradiated with the ambient light of the commander 20, and
accordingly the second sensor 22 detects a trace amount of light
corresponding to a detection value equal to or larger than the
first threshold value. In this state, an erroneous operational
input may be carried out due to the operation element being in
contact with the stationary surface S, and a process (relating to
the commander 20 itself or relating to a process of controlling the
television 10) may be performed according to the erroneous
operational input.
[0058] In a case where the determination condition for an
affirmative result in Step S21 is satisfied, the movement
determining unit 23 determines that it enters a state where the
operation command may be input erroneously (Step S22), and informs
the control unit 30 of a report on that fact. The notification is
transmitted as flag information indicating the likeliness of an
erroneous input. The flag information is valid during the second
operation in which the operation surface 20a is put face down and
is placed still and the amount of the light with which the
operation surface 20a is irradiated is equal to or larger than the
first threshold value but smaller than the second threshold value
and during a period in which this state is kept.
[0059] The control unit 30 determines whether or not a command is
input through the operation input unit 29 (Step S23). In a case
where there is likeliness of an erroneous input, the control unit
30 determines that the command is invalid, so that a process
according to the command is not executed (Step S24). In a case
where there is no likeliness of an erroneous input, the control
unit 30 performs a process according to the command as usual. The
commander 20 repeatedly performs the process of Step S23 and the
processes of the subsequent Steps until the probability of an
erroneous input of the operation command becomes zero, that is,
until the state following the second operation is canceled ("Yes"
in Step S25). Therefore, even in the state illustrated in FIG. 7,
the commander 20 does not perform a process according to an
erroneous operational input.
[0060] FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate an example of a method of
controlling the television 10 through the execution of the first
operation M in which the commander 20 enters a predetermined state
and the state is kept for a predetermined time. Further, only one
control command C may be assigned to the first operation M, or
alternatively a plurality of control commands C selected according
to the states of the television 10 and/or the commander 20 may be
assigned.
[0061] In the example illustrated in FIG. 8A, a control command C1
is assigned to the first operation M for starting a temporary
record. When the movement determining unit 23 determines that the
first operation M is performed, the command transmitting unit 28
transmits the control command C1 to the television 10. When the
command receiving unit 16 receives the control command C1, the
control unit 18 determines whether or not the received contents is
being reproduced. In a case where the condition for an affirmative
result is satisfied, the control unit 18 instructs the content
recording unit 12 starts the temporary record. The content
recording unit 12 starts temporarily recording the received
contents supplied from the content receiving unit 11 in accordance
with the instruction (P1).
[0062] The temporary record is continuously performed, for example,
until a predetermined state of the commander 20 is canceled. In
addition, the temporary record may be continuously performed until
a predetermined time elapses or the received contents are changed
as time passes by. Therefore, a user can watch the received
contents, which have been reproduced in the television 10 during
the execution of the first operation M, as the recorded contents
which are temporarily recorded.
[0063] In the example illustrated in FIG. 8B, the control command
C2 for designating a reproduction start position is assigned to the
first operation M. When the command receiving unit 16 receives a
command, the control unit 18 determines whether or not the recorded
contents are being reproduced. In a case where the condition for an
affirmative result is satisfied, the control unit 18 designates the
reproduction start position (P2). The control unit 18 acquires
information of the reproduction start position, which indicates a
reproduction position at a time point when the instruction is
received, from the content reproducing unit 13. Further, the
control unit 18 stores the information in association with the ID
of the recorded contents in reproduction.
[0064] At the time of reproducing the recorded contents, the
control unit 18 determines whether or not the reproduction start
position of the recorded contents is stored. In a case where the
reproduction start position is stored, the control unit 18 makes
reference to the reproduction start position and instructs the
content reproducing unit 13 to reproduce the contents from the
reproduction start position. The reproduction start position is
stored with a designated date together, and when a predetermined
period elapses from the designated date, the contents may become
invalid. Therefore, a user can watch the reproduction contents,
which have been reproduced in television 10 during the execution of
the first operation M, from the reproduction start position.
[0065] In the example illustrated in FIG. 8C, the control command
C3 for stopping (or pausing) the reproduction of the contents is
assigned to the first operation M. When the command receiving unit
16 receives the control command C, the control unit 18 determines
whether or not the contents (the received contents or the recorded
contents) are being reproduced. In a case where the condition for
an affirmative result is satisfied, the control unit 18 instructs
the content reproducing unit 13 to stop (or pause) the
reproduction. The content reproducing unit 13 stops (or pauses) the
reproduction process of the contents in accordance with the
instruction (P3). Therefore, a user can stop (or pause) the
reproduction of the contents in the television 10 by performing the
first operation M.
[0066] In the example illustrated in FIG. 8D, the control command
C4 for muting the sound of the content is assigned to the first
operation M. When the command receiving unit 16 receives the
control command C, the control unit 18 determines whether or not
the contents (the received contents or the recorded contents) are
being reproduced. In a case where the condition for an affirmative
result is satisfied, the control unit 18 instructs the content
reproducing unit 13 to mute the sound. The content reproducing unit
13 stops outputting of the audio data to the speaker 15 or outputs
silent audio data corresponding to the sound mute in accordance
with the instruction (P4). Therefore, a user can mute the sound of
the contents reproduced in the television 10 by performing the
first operation M.
[4. Conclusion]
[0067] As described above, according to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, the execution of the first operation M is
determined by switching the commander 20 to a state in which the
operation surface 20a is put face down and is placed still and the
amount of the light with which the operation surface 20a is
irradiated is smaller than the first threshold value. When the
operation surface 20a is not put face down, it is not determined
that the first operation M can be performed. Therefore, it is
possible to appropriately determine whether to execute an operation
in which the commander 20 enters a state where the operation
surface 20a is put face down and is placed still with respect to
the stationary surface S.
[0068] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
or the equivalents thereof.
[0069] It should be noted that the present disclosure can also take
the following configurations.
[0070] [1]. A control device comprising:
[0071] a first sensor that detects an acceleration acting on the
control device;
[0072] a second sensor that detects light with which an operation
surface of the control device is irradiated;
[0073] a movement determining unit that determines that a first
operation is performed, the first operation being an operation in
which the control device enters a state where the operation surface
is put face down and is placed still and the operation surface is
irradiated with the light with an amount smaller than a first
threshold value, on the basis of detection results of the first
sensor and the second sensor; and
[0074] a command transmitting unit that transmits a predetermined
control command to a controlled device when it is determined that
the first operation is performed.
[0075] [2]. The control device according to [1], further
comprising:
[0076] a control unit that performs a process according to an
operational input,
[0077] wherein the movement determining unit determines that a
second operation is performed, the second operation being an
operation in which the control device enters a state where the
operation surface is put face down and is placed still and the
operation surface is irradiated with the light with an amount equal
to or larger than the first threshold value and smaller than a
second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold
value, and
[0078] the control unit does not perform a process according to the
operational input when it is determined that the second operation
is performed.
[0079] [3]. The control device according to [1],
[0080] wherein the command transmitting unit transmits a control
command for temporarily recording contents which are being
reproduced in the controlled device, or a control command for
designating a reproduction start position of the contents to the
controlled device when it is determined that the first operation is
performed.
[0081] [4]. The control device according to [1],
[0082] wherein the command transmitting unit transmits, to the
controlled device, a control command for pausing or stopping the
contents which are being reproduced in the controlled device when
it is determined that the first operation is performed.
[0083] [5]. The control device according to [1],
[0084] wherein the command transmitting unit transmits, to the
controlled device, a control command for muting a sound of the
contents which are being reproduced in the controlled device when
it is determined that the first operation is performed.
[0085] [6]. A control method comprising:
[0086] determining that a first operation is performed, the first
operation being an operation in which a control device enters a
state where an operation surface is put face down and is placed
still so that the operation surface is irradiated with light of an
amount smaller than a first threshold value and in which the state
is maintained for a predetermined time, based on an acceleration
acting on the control device and a detection result of light with
which the operation surface of the control device is irradiated;
and
[0087] transmitting a predetermined control command to a controlled
device when it is determined that the first operation is
performed.
[0088] [7]. A program causing a computer to execute a control
method, the control method comprising:
[0089] determining that a first operation is performed, the first
operation being an operation in which a control device enters a
state where an operation surface is put face down and is placed
still so that the operation surface is irradiated with light of an
amount smaller than a first threshold value and in which the state
is maintained for a predetermined time, based on an acceleration
acting on the control device and a detection result of light with
which an operation surface of the control device is irradiated;
and
[0090] transmitting a predetermined control command to the
controlled device when it is determined that the first operation is
performed.
* * * * *